Army Chief Visits Baidoa to Boost Offensive against Al-Shabaab

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BAIDOA: Somalia National Army (SNA) chief, Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, arrived in the southwestern city of Baidoa, in a visit aimed at accelerating military operations against Al-Shabaab militants and strengthening security across South West State.

Military officials said the visit by the SNA commander focused on coordinating ongoing offensives and reinforcing security efforts in areas considered strategically important in the fight against the militant group.

Baidoa serves as the administrative capital of South West State and remains a key military and logistical hub for government operations targeting Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia.

The visit comes as Somali national forces, backed by local militias and international partners, continue operations aimed at retaking territory from Al-Shabaab, which still controls parts of rural southern and central Somalia despite sustained military pressure in recent years.

Somalia’s federal government has intensified efforts to expand offensives against the group following renewed pledges by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to weaken Al-Shabaab and transfer greater security responsibilities to Somali forces.

Security operations in South West State have become increasingly important as authorities seek to secure supply routes, stabilize liberated areas and prevent militant attacks on major towns including Baidoa and Mogadishu.

The trip by Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud is also expected to strengthen coordination between federal forces and regional security authorities as Somalia prepares for the gradual drawdown of foreign peacekeeping troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.